[All photos by Ian Eberly]

Symmetry 2020!

Happy New Year!Time to reflect, resolve, reassess, and reorganize.Also, maybe take a nap.

Today started like any other for our dog, Apollo.He got up, greeted the day as if it were the only thing he ever wanted and seized it like a giant porterhouse steak, dripping with juice and piled with the trimmings.He does this every morning, running out ahead of me straight to the door, spinning in circles while I unlock it so he can sprint out the door, sniff around, find the perfect pee spot, make sure everything is as he left it the night before and no one new has moved into his territory while he was sleeping.When he’s satisfied, he runs back to the door and waits, wagging his tail whenever we make eye contact.Sometimes I’m in the middle of feeding the cats so I don’t lethim in right away, but that’s okay with him.He’d wait all day if he had to.

Once in, he paces until breakfast is served.For the next 16 hours he follows me, or my son, or my husband around — not so much the girls for some reason, probably because they don’t give him treats — waiting to see if we’re walking or going for a car ride or just relaxing on the couch.He’s only allowed on the couch if there’s a blanket for him to sit on and he waits patiently while I arrange it just so.Every last thing he does, even sleeping — letting out a sigh of contentment that is unparalleled — he does with a joie de vivre that I have never noted in another animal or human.What a fabulous way to live.

Can I learn to approach life with the same attitude as my dog?By tapping into the energy of 2020, I think I can.I like the symmetry of this year’s numbers — 2020, so round and full and whole — so I’m making symmetry my word for the year.

Equilibrium, harmony, consonance, coordination, aren’t they all lovely words with even lovelier meanings?Let’s find our way back to symmetry this year, both individually and as a planet.We do not thrive solely as individuals but as the sum of all of our parts so let’s treat the world the way we want to be treated.This is a tenant of every major religion — that we take care of each other — and since I’m an environmentalist, let’s add the planet in there, too.

I’m aiming to tackle 2020 the way my dog would, with joy, love, conviviality, happiness at every turn, appreciation for everyone and everything, and satisfaction with even the most mundane things because life is short, I only get a few minutes of it (relative to the age of the universe), and I want to make the most of my minutes.Plus, Apollo pivots better than any human I know and that’s an extremely helpful skill to have.

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Want to join me?Let’s start this decade off right and throw a little orderliness, equality, and concord into the mix.Pair it with a neutral reaction by pivoting when things don’t go according to the plan and see how your life improves.I bet the universe conspires to shower you with blessings as a result of your efforts.

42 Responses to Symmetery 2020!

Happy super-belated New Year, and what. a. CUTIE! Oh, I just wanna scratch his ears. That look of joy on his face in the mud is priceless. That we should all be inspired to revel in the simple pleasures!

Hi, Pam. Let’s treat the world the way we want to be treated sounds great to me. Happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year and New Decade to you and your family, including Apollo. We just rescued a 9-year old male Pekingese and he’s fun to have around. We call him Thor. Bob

If you let my dog out and there’s no one to open the door when he wants to come in there will be no patiently waiting with his tail wagging. He’ll make a racket until somebody lets him in. Unfortunately I think I’m more like my dog than yours.

Hi Pam – Happy New Year … but love your post and the ideas it contains … I totally concur – and I’ll add your word to mine … waistline! It’s not bad … but I must make a concerted effort in 2020 – and yes it does have a delightful symmetry … a friend said she likes even years … she feels easier with life. All the best for the coming year – Hilary

Thanks … when I thought about it – it seemed appropriate … mind you with a birthday in the middle of January and numerous outings in the month – I might have eleven months of ‘waistlining’ …. Cheers H xo

unsure if my response went through – but just to say this post is lovely Pam … sweet symmetry, it’s like a song, I’ve worked out the beat already! Happy New Year – may 2020 bring you and family plenty plenty! If a duplicate response, please delete one of them 🙂

Sweet symmetry- I wanna make up a song! Can you feel the beat? A joyous way to start the day thanks Pam – with this beat I’m gonna get up, make tea, get a couple of chores done in my study (pay some bills) and then set out on a bike ride! Happy New Year Pam to you and family and a pull of the tail for Apollo from me 😀🌺🍾